Exercising device



Dec. 2l w26. l,61,807

M. BERGH EXERCISNG DEVICE Filed Jan. 5, 1926 M.: NHV i ,All .umn

Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE..

MARTHA BERGH, E Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

ExEncisING DEVICE.

application Linea January s, 1926. serial no. 79.336.

j This invention relates to im rovementsA in exercise themselves. Invalids and especiall those persons who have spinal troubles equently develop bed sores from resting in bed a considerable length of time, and a small amount of exercise will gre'atlyassist in correcting this condition. However, in the case of patients ailhcted with spinal troubles, it is very essential in many cases.

to relieve any the exercise.

Another object of this invention therefore pressure on the spine during is to provide a device which is of cheap,

simple and durable construction, which will provide an eiiicient exercising apparatusfor exercising bed ridden patients.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawings for an illustrative embodiment ofthe invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the-device illustrating the manner in which it is used,

Fig. 2 is a view in front ,elevation ofthe improved exercising device, and

"Figl 3 is a side elevation of the device illustrating the manner in which it may be employed. l

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the improved exercising device consists of a base frame substantially rectangular in form consisting of two parallel side members 10 connected by front and rear cross members 11. This base frame is supported upon a plurality of ground or tloor engaging wheels 12. which are preferably swiveled as at 13 to provide a type of caster wheel. These caster wheels are referably mounted adjacent the corners of t e base frame.'v A supporting frame is mounted on the base :frame and consists of forward uprights 14 and rearward uprights 1 5. The forward and rearuprights on each side of the basev frame have their upper ends connected as by suitable fittings 16. A crossbar 17 connects the fitting 16 and is arranged substantially vertically above the center of the base frame. Supporting meinbers 18 are suspended vfrom the crossbar 17 and 1n the present instance these supporting members are illustrated as being provided` on their lower ends with slings A19 and securing straps 20. Thel slings 19 can be slipped over thearnis ofthe patient P and will be suiiicient to support him ina Walking position between the uprights 14 and 15,'7'

and Within the base frame. y

In some instances, however, it is desirable to provide the patient with a corset C` of i flexible material and which is adapted to be drawn snugly around the trunk of the patient, preferably above the hips. It is especially' desired in using such acorset4 that it have no portion which passes beneath the crotch of the patient, and thus it will not tend to create any vertical pressure on the spine. The attaching straps 2O can b-e used for connecting the supporting members 1S to the corset when employed. Obviously, either the slings 19 or the straps 2O can be used alone or they can be used in conjunction with each other.4 Hand rails 21 connect the. forward and rearwarduprights 14 and 15 on each side and enable the patient to guide the carriage and also assist him in gaining confidence in himself.

In use the patient is placedin the'carriage and the supporting members 18 are 'adj usted so that they support most of the weight of the patient, but permit his feetto engage the oor. In this manner he may walk about and ropel the carriage andveii'ectively exercise himself without danger of 'falling over and becoming injured. j l

In case he becomes tired, it is very advantageous to provide a seat upon the carriage. Such a seat is illustrated as consisting of a back 22 having its lower end mounted between the rear uprights 15.' It'is maintained in an upwardy and rearwardly inclined position by abi-ace 23., A seat member 24 is hinged to the lower end of the back 22 and connected 'to the back by a collapsible brace 25. If desired, a foot piece 26 can be hinged to the forward end of the seat 24 and provided with a collapsible brace 27. From a comparison of Figs. 1 and 3,

can be completely folded up or collapsed while the patient is Walking about within the apparatus. If he becomes tired, the scat can be pulled down into the position shown in Fig. 3 and the patient may rest himself.

From the above described apparatus it will be readily appreciated that an improved exercising device is provided, which is esz. pecially desirable and advantageous in proing said base frame and mounted adjacent' the corners thereof, uprights mounted adjacent the corners of said base frame and converging upwardly and inwardly therefrom, means connecting the upper ends of the uprights on each side, a crossbar connecting said means, supporting members suspended .from said crossbar adapted to support a person above the waist in walking position between said uprights and within said base frame, and hand rails connecting the uprights on each side. l

2. An exercising device comprising a rectangular base frame, caster wheels supporting said base frame and mounted adJacent the corners thereof, uprights mounted adjacent the corners of said base frame and extending upwardly therefrom, means connecting vthe upper ends of the uprights on each side, a crossbar connecting said means,

supporting members suspended from vsaid tangular hase frame, easter wheels support- 1 ing said base frame and mounted adjacent the corners thereof, uprights mounted adjacent the corners of' said base frame and extending upwardly therefrom, means con necting the upper ends ofj the uprights on each side, a erossbar connecting said means, supporting members suspended from said crossbar adapted to support a person in walking position between said uprights and within said base frame, a back secured between the two rear uprights, a seat hinged to the lower end of said back, and a foot piecel hinged to the forward end of said seat.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specication.

MARTHA BERGI-I. 

